Montreal Kosher Restaurant Damaged in Suspected Arson Fire

A kosher restaurant in Montreal was heavily damaged by a fire early Saturday, August 1, in an incident police are investigating as a suspected arson and possible hate crime. The blaze at Nöam restaurant on Décarie Boulevard in the Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough broke out around 3:15 a.m., requiring a two-alarm response from firefighters who battled the flames for several hours before bringing them under control. No injuries were reported, but the restaurant sustained extensive damage.

Montreal police spokesperson Raphaël Bergeron said investigators have preliminary information indicating an individual was seen at the property as the fire began, prompting authorities to transfer the case to the police arson squad. Surveillance video obtained by media outlets appears to show a man igniting a fire before running from the scene. Police are reviewing that footage as part of their ongoing investigation. No arrests have been made, and authorities have not publicly determined a motive.

The incident has raised significant concern within Montreal's Jewish community and among elected officials, given that the targeted business was a kosher establishment. Several federal and...